Legal Fireworks in Legal Places: Info and Demonstration, June 23

Eastern Oregon University Alumni Raft Trip and Get-Together, July 8

An Act of Courage: An Everyday Fact of Life

1. Notice. Sherman County School District Special Board Meeting, June 23

The Sherman County School District Board of Directors will hold a Special Board Meeting on Friday, June, 23 2017 at 1:00 p.m. A closed Executive Session will precede the Special Meeting at 12:30 p.m. pursuant to ORS 192.660(2)(a) to consider the employment of an officer, employee, staff member, or agent and ORS 192.660(2)(d) to conduct deliberations with persons designated to carry on labor negotiations. These meetings will be held in the Sherman County School/Public Library.

Public Participation in Board Meetings

A visitor may be recognized by the chairperson by rising, identifying himself/herself with his/her full name and address and stating his/her purpose for appearing.

A group of visitors with a common purpose should designate a spokesperson for the group.

Discussion or presentation concerning a published agenda item is limited to its designated place on the agenda, unless otherwise authorized by the chairperson.

A visitor may introduce a topic not on the published agenda. However, the Board, at its discretion, may require that a proposal, inquiry, or request be submitted in writing and reserves the right to refer the matter to the administration for action or for study and to report at a subsequent meeting. The Board shall make a decision at the meeting where information is presented only if the issue is considered an emergency by the Board.

At the discretion of the Board chairperson, when meetings are large and controversial, anyone wishing to speak before the Board, either as an individual or as a member of a group, on any agenda item or other topic, may do so by providing information to the board secretary on a sign-in sheet prior to the meeting. This will help the chairperson provide adequate time for each agenda item.

Statements by members of the public should be brief and concise. The chairperson may, at his/her discretion, establish a time limit on discussion or oral presentation by a visitor on any topic.

Speakers may offer objective criticism of school operations and programs but the Board will not hear complaints concerning specific school personnel. The chairperson will direct the visitors to the appropriate procedure for Board consideration and disposition of legitimate complaints involving individuals.

These procedures will be published on the back of every Board meeting agenda.

Kids entering 6th-12th grade will learn what it’s like to be a meteorologist or oceanographer during the “Weird World of Weather,” Discovery Kids Summer Camp #2, July 31 to August 3, 2017 from 9 a.m. to noon daily at Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum, 5000 Discovery Drive, The Dalles. For more information, visitwww.gorgediscovery.org.

June 23 opens the season for fireworks sales in Oregon. Legal fireworks may be purchased only from Oregon permitted fireworks retailers and stands. To date the Office of State Fire Marshal has issued 722 retail fireworks permits, and 138 display permits. Oregon law forbids possession, use, or sale of fireworks that fly, explode, or travel more than six feet on the ground or 12 inches in the air, without a permit issued by the OSFM. Bottle rockets, Roman candles, and firecrackers are ILLEGAL in Oregon.

All fireworks are prohibited on all Oregon beaches, in parks, and campgrounds.

Illegal fireworks can be expensive. Under Oregon law, illegal fireworks may be confiscated and offenders fined up to $500 per violation for possession of illegal fireworks and endangering life and property. Offenders may also be arrested. Any fireworks causing damage, or misuse of fireworks carries a liability for the offender, who may be required to pay for resulting fire or other damage. Parents are liable for fireworks-caused damage by their children. Costs may include assessed fines as well as the cost of suppressing fireworks-caused fires.

Saturday, July 8, 2017 Sage Canyon River Company Deschutes River – Maupin, OR $65 per person

Join EOU alumni and friends for the first annual Central Oregon Raft Trip! This family friendly event features three hours on the beautiful Deschutes river. The trip sets out from Harpham Flats and tackles Class III and IV rapids, including Wapinitia, Box Car, and Oak Springs. While on this adventure you will be able to take in the scenery, swim, and make great memories. This is a great trip for those short on time, but high on adventure. For additional details, please visit: http://sagerafting.com/deschutes-river-rafting-trips/3-hour-whitewater-rafting-trip/

After the raft trip, there will be a no-host gathering at The Riverside Restaurant located in Maupin. If you have questions please contact us at 541-962-3740 or email alumni@eou.edu.

5. An Act of Courage: An Everyday Fact of Life

Do you believe that courage is something that only special people display in times of great danger? Many people think that courage is an unusual act of bravery, but it is far more than that, and far more common than we are led to believe.

For most people, the answer to that question would be a resounding, “Yes!” But, if we think about it a little more, we might also agree that courage needs to be an everyday fact of life, if we are going to use more of our potential and become all that we can be. In fact, there is a good chance that courage precedes all positive change. Courage is the magic key that opens the door to the full experience of life.

Of course, no courage is needed if you refuse to take any risks. But, if you don’t risk anything, the truth you must eventually face is that you are actually risking everything! You see, people who react to life from a state of continuous fear instead of courage are stressed out and uncertain, lost in a dark cloud of doubt and worry. They are terrified of change, when change is what is happening all the time.

Courage is an absolute necessity if you are going to succeed, regardless of setbacks and the chance of failure. But it is also what it takes to smile when life is hard, and what allows you to stand your ground when others want to put you down. You see, courage fills up your life with power and it empowers others as well. In fact, you’ve probably seen evidence of courage in the last few days or weeks.

Would you like to have more courage? First, expand your definition of what courage means. For some of us, just getting out of bed in the morning is an extraordinary act of courage. Once you have a larger idea of what courage is, picture how you would behave if you already had it, and begin to act accordingly.

You are stronger than you currently believe you are! ~The Pacific Institute

Salem, Oregon — Oregon’s arts and culture sector contributed $687 million and 22,299 jobs to Oregon’s economy in fiscal year 2015, according to the latest Arts & Economic Prosperity study from Americans for the Arts. Released June 17 at the group’s national conference in San Francisco, Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 includes first-time data from rural Oregon.

“Arts and culture play a key role in healthy, prosperous communities, particularly in rural Oregon,” said Chris Harder, director of Business Oregon. “While this study highlights the significant impact of artists and cultural organizations on local economies, the resulting vibrant communities are places that are more attractive for overall business growth and investment.”

The data reveals that arts and culture jobs across Oregon generated $469.5 million in household income to local residents and delivered $53 million in local and state government revenue. In addition, the 9,911,552 people who attended arts and culture events spent an average of $42.59 per event, excluding the cost of the admission ticket. Event spending, which totaled $322,956,808, includes meals, parking, souvenirs, babysitting and hotel stays.

“This is the most comprehensive data we’ve ever had on how vital arts and culture are to Oregon’s statewide economic prosperity,” said Brian Rogers, Oregon Arts Commission executive director. “Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 is evidence that the nonprofit arts and culture sector is a significant industry in the State of Oregon. It sends a strong signal that when we support the arts, we not only enhance our quality of life, but we also invest in the State of Oregon’s economic well-being.”

While previous studies have focused only on Portland and Eugene, a statewide consortium led by the Arts Commission enabled Baker, Clatsop, Crook, Deschutes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lincoln, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa and Yamhill counties as well as Ashland, Corvallis, Eugene and the Portland Metro area (Northeastern and Central Oregon did combined county studies) to participate.

Spending by arts and cultural organizations and audience members in the Portland Metro area was $330.4 million, up 30 percent since the last Arts & Economic Prosperity study in 2010. The spending outside of the Portland Metro area (Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties) totaled $357 million.

“We are so grateful to the Arts Commission for making it possible for us to participate,” said Sharon Morgan, who was “stunned” to learn that arts and culture spending in Yamhill County totaled $45 million. Morgan, a member of the Yamhill County Cultural Coalition, organized the survey for her county.

Detailed reports for each of the Oregon regions and cities that participated are posted on the Arts Commission website.

The Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 Study was conducted by Americans for the Arts and supported by the Ruth Lilly Fund of the Americans for the Arts. Local, regional and statewide partners, such as the Oregon Arts Commission and its 11 survey partners, contributed time and financial support to the study. Financial information from partner organizations was collected in partnership with DataArts. A full list of the 341 communities who participated in the study is posted on the Americans for the Arts website.